Media Contact:
Diane Bartlett
Director of Marketing Communications
Phone: (703) 777-2414
FAX: (703) 777-3282
E-mail: dbartlett@morvenpark.org

LEESBURG, June 23 The Southern Guard Living History Association will camp on the grounds of historic Morven Park north of Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia on July 12-13 to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the Gettysburg campaign. Visitors to Morven Park will see the living historians portray the 17th Mississippi Regiment during their preparation for the invasion of the north under the command of General Barksdale in 1863. Activities include scheduled drills and "picket" (lookout) duty scenarios from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. There is no admission fee to the events.

Between August of 1861 and March of 1862, the 17th Mississippi Regiment established living quarters on the grounds of Morven Park. They and other Mississippi Regiments were in Leesburg protecting the left flank of the Confederate Army, which was headquartered in Manassas, Virginia. During the weekend of July 12, spectators will see how the soldiers lived and trained, and are invited to watch skirmish and company drills demonstrating mid-19th century battlefield tactics.

Virginia and Maryland Civil War Trails interpretive signs are located on the Morven Park property. The Morven Park Governor's Mansion, Museum of Hounds and Hunting, and the Winmill Carriage Collection will be open for tours on the hour from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. during the weekend. There is a fee for the tours only. All other activities are free.

The living history events will be held adjacent to the Morven Park mansion and museums, located off Old Waterford Road north of Leesburg in Loudoun County, Virginia. For information about Morven Park, call (703) 777-2414.

For more information about the Southern Guard Living History Association, visit their Web site at www.southernguard.org.

Photo: Members of the 17th Mississippi Living History Regiment
resting between drills.

Morven Park is operated in the public interest by the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization founded to protect and promote the historic and cultural resources of Morven Park.